The A-List: The music and literature of Bad Religion

Oct. 20, 2010

Provided to the Reno Gazette-Journal

I'm not one to seek out Bad Religion albums, but I loved the new title's play on Charles Darwin's "The Descent of Man," and with singer Greg Graffin also putting out a book on the intersection of punk rock, science and anti-authoritarianism, I had to give it a shot. ("The Dissent of Man," Epitaph, 3 1/2 stars out of 4)

It's my favorite thing they've released in years. The songs aren't as fast as in days of old and they're poppier. Heck, "I Won't Say Anything" could almost pass for R.E.M. The album is stocked with smart songs including a few standouts such as "The Devil in Stitches" and "Someone to Believe."

As for Graffin's book, I checked it out from the county library. (Greg Graffin and Steve Olson, "Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God," 3 1/2 stars)

It's a thoughtful, nuanced look at naturalism (the belief that everything can be explained by natural, not supernatural, causes), as seen through the lens of punk rock and his die-hard belief in challenging authority, such as the conventional scientific wisdom about whether the first animals to walk on land came ashore in fresh or salt water. Or the over-reliance by scientists in crediting natural selection with being behind many biological traits when other causes are more likely, in Graffin's opinion. He says he tries not to write songs supporting his beliefs because he thinks it's more important to inspire people to question than to create anthems for believers.

Memorable anecdotes: Their very first show was in a warehouse playing a 15-year-old girl's birthday party -- and they were opening for Social Distortion. And Graffin witnesses punks kill somebody and then he's handcuffed by the police at his high school, where rumors start that he did it.